Tire chain



arch 1958 e. M. EDDY 2,825,381

TIRE CHAIN Filed Oct. 3, 1956- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY March 1958 G. M. EDDY 2,825,381

TIRE CHAIN Filed on. 5, 1956 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6226 L /Z fczci BY 74 1 United States Patent TIRE CHAIN Glen M. Eddy, Kansas City, Kans.

Application'october 3, 1956,-Se'rial No.' 613,777

Claims. (Cl. 152-241 This invention relates to tire chains of the typ'e'having cross chains swivelly connected with side chains, the present application being a continuation-impart of my copending application Serial No. 524,100, filed July 25, 1955, and now abandoned. Chains of thischaracter are desirable and have proved'satisfactory as antiskid devices, however, the swivel connections as heretofore provided are complicated, add to the weight of. the chain where weight is a critical factor, and they do not stand'up under heavy equipment and on rocky roads.

Therefore, the principal objects of 'the present invention are'to provide'a swivel connection of simple-light weight construction-in that it-consistsof a'novel hook member, which swivels directly in "a link of the side chain and hooks into the end link of the cross'chain.

Afurther'object of the invention is to'provide a chain construction in which the cross chains maybe applied without the use of-tools' and yet-connections canno'tshake or fall-apart when the chains are handled.

It is also an object ofthe invention'to. provide a swivel hook having ashape-t'o cooperate with thesize and shape of the links to form an interlock between the parts and thereby prevent disconnection of the parts whenthe chains have been removed from a tire.

A further object of theinvention is to .provide a tire chain with-swivel connections that are practicable for heavy duty use on-industrial machines'such as tractors, trucks, snow plows, r'oad grading machines, mobile mining equipment and-the like.

It is also an;object' of the invention toprovide a swivel connection in the form ofa'hook'wherein the terminal portion of the hook isi'provide'd with a 'resilientkeeper to further-cooperate with-theishape of the hook in maintainingconnection-of the hook with the link ofthe .side chains.

In; accomplishing these and other objects'bf the invention I have provided improved structure, the preferred forms of whichareiillustrated in-theaccoznpanying' drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 isa perspective view of aportion of 'a side' chain and one end of across link -of-a the chain connected together bya swivel hook embodying the features of the presentinvention.

Fig.2 is a'fragmentary section through the side chainon-the line' Z- Z of F-ig. 1-" and showin'g the swivel'ho'o'kconnec'tin'gtheend link of the c'ro'ss chairi-"to alink 'of the side chain.

Fig. '3 is a fragmentafyside' perspective vie'w s'h'owing that the end 'link of-the ci'oss chainfannot berenioved or' dropped -fromthe-hook when -the c ross chains'a'reice relative position where the cross chain can be removed and replaced on the swivel hook.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the side chain andendmost cross link and showing the swivelho'ok tilted in the link of the side chain and the end link of the cross chain being free d from the swivel hook.

Fig. 7 shows the first step in applying the swivel hook to a link of the side chain. 7

Fig.8 isa View similar to Fig. 7 but showing theswivel hook being threaded through'a link of the side chain.

Fig. 9 is a section through a link of the side chainand end link of the cross chainshowing theswivelconnection including a hook having a'resilient keeper attached to'the shank of the hook to prevent accidental disconnection.

Fig. 10 is a similar view of a'further'modified form of the invention showing the resilient keeper carried .bythe terminal of thehook.

Fig. 11-is a similar view of a further modified form of the invention showing the keeper formed of a resilient insert.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged section of the terminal end of the hook of 'Fig. 11, and better illustrating the attachment of the keeper.

Referring more in detail to thedrawings, andfirst to thepreferred"formofinventionshown inFigs. 1 to 8,

inclusive:

The numeral'l designates a preferred form-of swivel hook constructeti'in accordancewit'h'the present invention for connecting the end link 2 of a cross chain 3 with links 4 of the side chain'S of a tire chain that is adapted to be mounted on the tire 6 of a wheel 7. Fig. 1 .of the drawing shows only one 'end'o'f across chain '3 anda portion of a side chain 5. However, it is to be understood that the complete antiskid chain includes a swivel hook .1 connected with a side chain5 at the opposite side of. the tire and that the complete'anti skid chain includes aplurality of circumferentially spaced cross chains 3 extending across the tread of the tire and whichhave their. end links 2 connected to the side chains in a like manner.

The links 4 ofthe sidechains S are elongated and com prisev parallel spaced apart bar'portions 8 and 9 connected by substantially semicircular end portions 10 and 11 whereby the links have elongated openings 12 in which the end portions 10 and '11 of adjacent links turn. The links 4 are formed of wire stockof circular cross section bent to shape with ends'wel'cled together preferably-in the center of one of'the side bars 8 or9. 'Thelinks 4-0f the side chains-5 are coupled together incidental toforming and welding thereof sothe circular. end portion-.10 of one linkfreely eng'ages'within tbecircular end portion 11 of the next-adjacent link in the chain.

The crosscha'ins Salso include a plurality of links Zin which the sidebar portions 13 and 14 are connected by semicircular end portions Band 16 and are provided with a twist whereby the end portion 15 is positioned at.sub st'ant'ially rightangles with'respect to the other end-portion 16a'nd' the barlportions 15 and 16 cross eachuother in spaced aparfrelation. The side bar :portions:are relativelystraight and are of alengthso.that-theopenings 17 through the links are elongated. "Theinner curvature of'the ends of the link 2 are of. larger diameter than the diameter of the cross section of .the end portionszliand 16 of the links whereby the rounded. end: of. one linkhas free swiveling connection withinthe rounded end of the connecting link. The links-when connected give aigenerally circular Overall cross section to the cross chains 3 so that they can roll on the tread of the tire 6 and present different surfaces to the road whereby. the cross chains-3 wear substantially evenly about their-axis ofrotation.

Each of the swivel hooks has a particularformwvhereby the body of" the 'hook cooperates-witht-the links of' the chain to maintain connection of the swivel hooks with either when the chains are on or-off a .q i l .l-:.':i i jg:

swivel hooks 1 each include a he ad 18, a shank porthe chain and also provide for ready connection and disconnection of the cross chains when replacing or adjusting flie number and spacing'of the. cross links about a tire, tire, as later to be The tion;19,- a hook portion 20, and a-terminal portion 21.

V 52 on the outer side thereof .by a disk 531that is pressed Thehead IS has a substantially flat anhular shoulder 22 encircling the shank p'ortion 1 9 jandlthe shoulder'22 is of 7 preferably larger diameter than the t ansverse width of the elongated openings 12 of the links 4 of the side chains 5 whereby oppositediametrical sides of the head lap the side bar: portions 10 and ll ofa link 4 to prevent pulling the 7 the hook portion 20, with a gradual curvature as at 26,

as. extending througha'hole49 (Fig: izym'theterminal 50 and which has aheadSl retainedrin acounterbore intothe. open end of the coimterboreSZ to keep the end of the stem 48 projecting into the pass 54 of the swivel hook 55.

In assembling an antiskid chain constructed as. de scribed, the side chains 5 may be cut to desired length from standard chain having the links 4 of the shape described. The cross chains 3 may also be cut from. standard twisted .chainhaving links 20f the form described.

To facilitate imanufac'ture of the swivel hooks they. are preferably forged from what isknown as 'rive't stock, a

which have the heads already formed and shanks of sufficient length to provide the shank, hook and terminal portions 19, 20 and 21., The washer is threaded on the shank before the shank is provided with the bends 26 and 27 and prior .to shaping of the 'terminalIZl;

After application of the washer, the bend-26' and. reg

' versebend 27 are formed and the terminal 21 is shaped to provide the offset face29 and the-widely spacedside porwhich reverses' in. a semicircular curve 27 to provide the.

hook'po'rtionlll, the center 'thereof beingisubstantially in the extended axis of the shank portion 19 of the hook, or at .least only slightly ofiset'to said extended axis. The

inner diameter of the hook portion 20 is slightly larger thanthe cross sectional diameter of the end portions 15 or 16 ofthe end'links 2 of'the cross chains 31to provide r V a substantiallysemicircular'seat 28 therefor. The terminal portion 21 continues from the hook portion. 20 in the'direction of the headltt, generally on an axis parallel with a tangent of the curvature .of the seat 28 to'prov'ide a pass 28 into the seat of 'the hook. The terminal .po'r

' tion 21' at the inside,'that is, the'side facing the shank portion 19,-has a flat face 29 spaced from'the shank por--v tion, as indicated at 30, to pass a side" 15 or 16 of an end link 3 into the semicircular seat 28. In order to allow sufficient width of the pass 30, the flat face 29. is offset outwardly as at 31, the offset being provided by deforming the metaljto provide the flat face 29. The sides 32 and.

33 of. the terminal portion flare outwardly 'on reverse curves 34 and 35 whereby the width of the end edge 36 of the terminal portion is greater than .the transverse width of the openings 17 of an endmost link 2 of a cross chain 3, as shown in Fig; 4. The end edge 36 of the terminal portion is preferably ,arcuate across the'width thereof,ias shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and is spaced from 'the annular shoulder, of the head a critical distance. That is, when the swivel hook 1' is pulled up snugly with respect to the side bars of aside link, with the head ISbearing upon ,the 'washer'25 and the washer'25jagainst the side.

bars 8 .and 9,"an end link of the side chain 3 cannot be passed through the space 38 then existing between'the plane of the side'bar portions 8 and9 and the end edge 36 of'the hook. This provides a safeguard to assure retention of thelinks in the books when the chains arein use, on atire. s

'The washer 25 isprefei'ably provided to give amen extensive contact'with, the link 4 and to control the effective space 38 when the swivel hook is turned to the position shownin' Fig. 6 for. placement and removal of the cross chain 3,-as later described.

to '11 have yieldablekeepers that are depressed to'permit passage of a link 2 when the link 2 is forced thereagainst The modified forms of swivel hook shown in Figs. 9

tions 34 and 35; wherebythe end of the terminal .is 'wider than the transverse dimension ot. the openings 17 in the links 20f the cross chains. I

The present structure, 7 therefore, allows the that they may be'cut tolength-for the various sizes of tires with which their vehicles may be equipped The I swivel hooks 1 may be purchased in quantities independ ently of the chain, :because the hooks may be applied to the side chains 5 and connectedwith the cross chains 3' without the use of tools. a In applying the swivel hooks links, the bar portions 8 or 9 areshifted throughfthe spaces 30 and passes 28' into the seats.28. The swivel hooks are then moved me clockwisefzdirection, 'as'indicated by the arrows, Figs.- 7 and 8, to a position where I the. shank portions 19 may be shifted through theopen- V .edges 36'forthel end links 2of jthe cross chains f3 to pass therethroughQ However, in the position shown in" Fig. 6,, theswivelhooks may be tilted retractively in the.

ings 121ofth side links 4 to bring the washers 25 into' engagement with the sidebar portions 8 and 9 of the links 4. The swivel hooks 1 .maythus be applied inf various spacing around the circumference. of thesidechains 5, according to the desire of the user.

The cross chains 3 are also readily applied to the swivel 7 books. l'without the use. of tools. This is eflcected by turning the swivel hooks 1 with the shank portions 19 rotating within the openings 12 of the side chains to bring the hookportions 20 thereofginto the longitudinal direction of the links 4,'as-shown in Fig. "6. This is required because in allother positions ofthe swivel hooks, there is insufiicient room between the links land-the longitudinal direction of the link until the washers 2 5 engage the bar portions 8 and'9, .asz shown in Fig. '6.

i This allows forthe edgelportions 3.6 ofjthe swivel hooks by suflicient pressure to overcome the spring action of the keeper. The'action may be easily effected by pressureof the fingersand-without use of tools. I r

The keepershown in .Fig, 9 includes a spring leaf 39 that is carriedby a collar 40 on the shank 41 of thehook 42. V

The keeper shown in .Fig. 10 is a so a spring lleaf, 43

attached to the terminal ,4 4 ofthe hook 45 by arivet .46. The keeper shown in Figs. Hand '12 is a resilient plug 1 V 47, preferably a synthetic rubberplug having a. SIQm porto move'away from the sidebars 8 and 9 of the side, links a suflicient distance for the spaces'38 to open'up,whereby 1 that portion of the endlink2 between therounding'. end

and sidebar portions, for example 15 and 13, will pass through: the spaces 38. As stated, this increase in the spaces 38 is efiected'because the arcnate portion of the washer intermediate the bar portions of the linkrmove 5-.

into the opening therebetween, as shownFig fi. The arcuate portion of the link 2. also entersthe space from the opposite direction,;as also shown in Fig. 6. Then by r turning the link 2 just after. it-has passed the widened terminal portion of ithe swivel hook, the curved end 7 large chain usersto purchase the side and cross chains in bulk,.so

1 to thetside chains 5,. theswivel'hooksl are turned with the hook portions transverselyof the links with the terminals 21 thereof position to pass through thelong wayof the openings'f lZ of the appropriate links 4, as shown inFig. 7. After-the terminals 21 have passed'through the openings '12 of the eather ppition 5f theglink can be passed undertheiedge ilhfand ihito "the'seat 28 and in whichposition thecros'schainis keyed from displacement after the swivel hook" has been tin-he'd so that the hook; portion 'th'ereo fextends transversely of thehnk of the side chain. In this position no part'of the end link can pass through the space The parts are thus keyed together so that the 'antiskid chains may be applied and removed from the tire substantially withoutany'likelihoodof the cross chains being disengaged from the hook portions of theswivel hooks. As loiig as thecrosslinks 2 are connected with the hook portions of the swivel hooks, they; provide akey so'that it is'impo'ssible for the 'swivel hooks to-pas's through the opening 12 of the side links in any direction in which the swivel hooks may betii'rned.

In case a resilient 'keeper is used, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the bar portions of theglinks 2 are pressed through 'the'en'trance of the hook 42'or 45 to depress the keeper 39 or 43 far enough to'open the pass so as to; permit passage o f the bar portions of the links. As oon a h b rr r 9 he i ship by the tensil portions otthe keepers, the tongues spring back totheir original position for retaining the hooks within the openings 12 of the respective links 4.

The end links 2 of the cross chains, when moved through the passes, likewise depress the spring tongues of the keepers sufiiciently to permit passage thereof into the seat portions of the swivel hooks. After the links pass the tongues, the tongues spring back to their original position and retain the end links of the cross chain in connection with the swivel hooks.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the end links 2 are passed into the hooks and the projecting portions 48 of the resilient plugs 47 yield suf'ficiently for the links to pass, after which they spring back into position to retain the parts in assembly.

The tire chains, constructed and assembled as described, are applied to a tire 6 in the manner of a conventional tire chain and the ends of the side chains are interconnected by any fastener. The fastener is not shown for the reason that a connector forms no part of the present invention.

In service, the cross chains 3 may roll and adjust themselves on the tire 6 with the shanks 19 of the swivel hooks turning within the openings 12 of the links 4.

The swivel books have very little wear and may be useable over long periods of time without replacement, however, the cross chains, which are subjected to wear, may be easily removed and replaced either when the chain is on or oh the tire. By carrying a few extra cross chains in the tool box, worn out cross chains may be replaced on the road.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that I have provided a tire chain equipped with swivel hooks which are of simple and inexpensive construction and which, with the exception of the washer, consists of a single part that is sufficiently strong to withstand the heavy duty necessary for antiskid devices when used on industrial machines, such as tractors, trucks, snow plows, road grading machines, mobile mining equipment, and the like.

It is also obvious that the connections between the cross chains and side chains are easily made without the use of tools.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a tire chain having a side chain composed of interconnected elongated side links each having side bar portions of circular cross section and rounding end portions forming elongated openings through the links and a cross chain having an elongated end link composed of rounding end portions and side bar portions of circular cross section to provide an elongated opening through said end link, a hook for removable connection with one of the side links and for removably connecting said end link of the cross chain with the side chain, and which hook comprises a head of larger diameter than the width of th 'opeining in thfefside flini ja sha k Pdifipn cittar cross section extending from said head, a'hook portihn extending from the shank portion and having a'terininal ofiset from the shank portion jandspaced from said head a distance greater than the diameterof said circular cross section of said bar portions of the side link butless than the combined diameters ofthe circular'cross sections of said side and end links to provide space therebetween, said terminal of the hook having a width greaterfthan the width of the openings in said links but less tli an'tlfie length of said openings to pass through the openihgof theside link when the hook is inserted through the' operiing of the side link to bring the shank of the hook into said opening, said shank of the hook being adapted turn and tilt within said opening to provide space betwee h said terminal portion'of thehook and the side ba'r'po'rtions of the side link for passing one'of the side bar portions of the end link of the cross' chain intosaid hook for retention therein when the hook is turned within the opening of the side link and said end link of the cross chain is turned so that the width ofthe terminal 'is'transversely of the width of the end link and said spacefb'etween the terminal of the hook andan'adjacent sidebar portion of the side link is sufliciently filled by said side bar portion of the side link to retain said end link of the cross chain in said hook portion.

2. In a tire chain having a side chain composed of interconnected elongated side links each having side bar portions of circular cross section and rounding end portions forming elongated openings through the links and a cross chain having an elongated end link composed of rounding end portions and side bar portions of circular cross section to provide an elongated opening through said end link, a hook for removable connection with one of the side links and for removably connecting said end link of the cross chain with the side chain, and which hook comprises a head of larger diameter than the Width of the opening in the side link, a shank portion of circular cross section extending from said head, a washer on said shank portion and adapted to seat against said head, a hook portion extending from the shank portion and having a terminal offset from the shank portion and spaced from said washer a distance greater than the diameter of said circular cross section of said bar portions of the side link but less than the combined diameters of the circular cross sections of said side and end links to provide space therebetween, said terminal of the hook having a width greater than the width of the openings in said links but less than the length of said openings to pass through the opening of the side link when the hook is inserted through the opening of the side link to bring the shank of the hook into said opening and the washer into contact with a side of said side link, said shank of the hook being adapted to turn and tilt within said opening to provide space between said terminal portion of the hook and the side bar portions of the side link for passing one of the side bar portions of the end link of the cross chain into said hook for retention therein when the hook is turned within the opening of the side link and said end link of the cross chain is turned so that the width of the terminal is transversely of the width of the end link and said space between the terminal of the hook and an adjacent side bar portion of the side link is sufficiently filled by said side bar portion of the side link to retain said end link of the cross chain in said hook portion.

3. In a tire chain having a side chain composed of interconnected elongated side links each having side bar portions of circular cross section and rounding end portions forming elongated openings through the links and a cross chain having an elongated end link composed of rounding end portions and side bar portions of circular cross section with the rounding end portions at substantially right angles to each other and the side bar portions in spaced apart crossing relation to provide an elongated opening through said end link, a hook for removable conassess;

nection. with one ofthe side links and for removably connecting said end' link of the cross chainwith the side ch'ajimfand which hook comprises a head of larger diameterijthan thewidth ofrtheflopening-in the side link, a shank portionof circular cross section extending from said head,

7 a washer on said shank portion and adapted to seat against sections of said side and end links to provide space there- 7 between, said terminal of the hook having a Width greater r than the Width of the openings in said'links but less than the length of said openings to pass through the opening of the side link-when the hook is inserted through the opening of ther-side link to bring the shank of the hook into said opening and the Washer into contact with'a side of said side link, said shank of the hook being adapted to 7 turn and tilt Within said opening to provide space between said terminal portion of the hook and the side bar portions of the side link for passing one of the side bar portions ofvthe end link of the cross'chain into said hook for f ther the retention of the end link in said hook. t 5. A hook as described in c1aim'3 and having a resil ient memberextending partially acr oss the space between.

the terminal of the hook and said shank portion to, fur:

retention therein when the hook is turnedwithin i lk r f e' r d n d and li i fqmsenaa i i is turned so that the width of the terminal is transversely of the widthQofthe end link andsaid space betvveenihe' terminal of the hook and anadjacent side bar portionpf thetside' link is sufliciently filled by said side bar portion to retain: said end link of the cross chain in'said portion."

4. Ahook as described in claim 1 and having'a;

ient memberextending partially across the space between-f the terminal of the'hook and said'shank portion to ther the retention'of the end link in said hook;

References tones in' the file of this patent! 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS j 404,659 Sears June 4,1889' 1,817,547 Eddy Aug.:4, 1931 2,415,583 

